The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-10
WIsCONSIN'S CAPITAL CITY.
Something About the Quiet Little Place in
Which the President Is Resting.

MADISON, Wis, Oct. 9.-The President and
Mrs Cleveland have rem aimed in their quarters
at the Villas mansion all day. resting in prepara-
ton for the fatigues of another week of journey
ing. 1t was expected that they would go to
church this morning, and the Villas pew in the
Episcopal Church was reserved for them, but
the heavy, threatening sky, and the raw. chilly
wind, fresh laden with spray from the lakes, the
mud in the unpaved streets, and the clouds of
falling leaves from every treetop were forbid
<ing. while the Crate fires in their parlors were
very tempting They have no one except
their felow-travelers and the members of the
Villas family. including the mother and brothers
of the Postmaster general. who were invited to
family dinner with the President and Mrs. Cleve-
land at o'clock. They could not have been
freer from interruption at the White House
at Red Top than at Madison. A little group of
dozen or more individuals have been seen
nearly all day In front of the mansion. waiting
possible glimpse of them. but the townspeople,
for the most part. have respected their wish to
be left in quiet. The house is we'll situated for
the purposes of seclusion and rest, standing well
back from the street. and being surrounded by
an ample stretch of green sward. clean-shaven
and well-shaded The structure itself, though
not pretentious one. is good specimen of the
villa of a dozen fifteen years ago, square
shouldered and wide-spreadine, though rendered
light and agreeable in outer appearance by
verandas, bay windows and conservatory of
flowers.
The town of Madison is phenomenon in its
way. 1t is perhaps the only place in all the
broad West where the inhabitants admit that
business is not blooming" and that things are
quiet. It's quietude is not that of stagnaton.
by any means but of rest and competency. It
is the home of a class of well-to-do conservative
people, who find among these low. rolling hills
and beautiful fresh-water lakes choice retreat
from the stir and hustle of the larger Western
centers, and who would not have "boom" if
they could. In fact, there is not room for much
growth, for lakes hem the place in north and
south, their shores being hardly mile apart.
It's thirteen fourteen thousand Inhabitants
spread themselves over as much area as
three times their number would require
in New England town, but they
are ndsposed, for the most part, to build closer
together and would find themselves crowded if
required to do 1t is beautiful spot. it's
streets opening vistas between lofty shade trees
down to and across she cool, blue. blue
ridges beyond. miles away. 1t shows
little other reason for existence than the fact
that it is the State capital and the location of
the State University 1t might be popular
summer resort. for its twin lakes, Mendoza and
Monona have beauty-spots upon every knoll
and projection. and the younger generation are
becoming restless and whispering about
Organization" for the purpose of securing a
change, but the time has not yet
come. Gray squirrels, monstrous fellows, half
the streets, and in thes houses, and no
urchin dog in all the place is SO lost to sense
of the proprietes of life to disturb them.
With all this there is nothing prosy common
place about Madison. It's State Capitol, oecu-
pying the middle of a large open square which
forms focus to its system of streets, is cred
liable structure in size and architecture, and its
university buildings commanding in form
and situation. It's inhabitants are up with the
times in all that makes progressive citizens and
good fellows No approved modern improve
xnent' long waits market here, and whatever
contributes to make city life comfortable is to
be found in It's hotels stores and dwellings.
Its hospitality is boundless and if there lies be-
meath it a desire to advertise anything one
must remain longer than the presidential party
has been here to discover the fact.
With the subsidence of last Fridays ehulli-
tioE affairs assumed their every day aspect, and
there is promise that the visitors shall depart to-
morrow morning without more of demons ira
tion than would be accorded to any other hon.
ored guest The special train will leave at
o'clock for st. Paul. concession has been
made to La Crosse, at which point the train will
tarry about twenty minutes tomorrow noon,
and the party will take carriages to see the
place and be seen by the people.